Cyprus Cabinet Approves Recruitment of 400 Contract NCOs to Boost National Guard
The Cyprus Cabinet has approved the recruitment of 400 contract non-commissioned officers (NCOs) from among the National Guard's contract soldiers, with appointments effective from November. The selection is based on a competitive process involving written examinations, and successful candidates will begin service with the rank of sergeant, eligible to serve until age 57 and potentially advance to first lieutenant.
Defence Minister Vassilis Palmas emphasized that this move is part of a targeted reform aimed at enhancing professional advancement opportunities and strengthening the National Guard's operational readiness. The reform also raised the maximum service age for contract soldiers (Syop) from 42 to 57 and increased salary scales, with monthly gross pay for first lieutenants around €2,335.
In addition to the recruitment, a new application round has opened with approximately 700 vacancies available until October 23. The increase in NCO posts from an initially planned 250 to 400 reflects growing personnel needs and aligns with European Union defence programmes under the Safe mechanism.
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